Biography
Yovana Lopez Medina is a passionate attorney with a strong commitment to having a positive impact in her community. Her passion for social justice and helping those in need is evident in her diverse professional, internship, and volunteer roles.
Yovana earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where she showcased leadership as the President of the Immigration Law Student Association and the Hispanic Law Student Association. Her involvement in these organizations allowed her to advocate for legal issues and promote diversity within the legal community. As the Chair of the Stony the Road Symposium, Yovana facilitated crucial conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal field. Her commitment to diversity extended to her role as a member of the Deans Diversity Council, fostering an inclusive environment at her law school. Yovana also served as an Admissions Ambassador, supporting prospective students on their journeys to pursue a legal education.
Yovana’s journey into the legal profession began with her undergraduate education at the University of Oklahoma, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations with a minor in Spanish. This foundation in human relations and proficiency in Spanish proved invaluable in her legal career.
Currently serving as an Immigration Litigation Associate at Rivas and Associates in Oklahoma City, Yovana plays a vital role in assisting with court pleadings, motions, and other legal documents related to immigration law. She represents clients in immigration removal hearings and interviews, diligently working to ensure their voices are heard, and their rights are protected. Yovana’s responsibilities also include handling asylum, cancellation of removal, and other merits cases before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
Before joining Rivas and Associates, Yovana gained valuable experience as a Law Clerk at the Mazaheri Law Firm, where she honed her skills in preparing court pleadings and motions, focusing on employment law and family law matters. Her contributions included extensive legal research and preparing memoranda across various practice areas. As a Law Clerk at Stump Immigration, Yovana demonstrated proficiency in handling immigration matters, preparing applications, briefs, motions, and offering valuable translation services for legal documents.
Yovana’s commitment to serving her community is evident in her roles as Director for the Domestic Violence Victim’s Assistance Program at the YWCA and Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocate at the Latino Community Development Agency. She also served as the Regional Hispanic Community Outreach Specialist at the American Red Cross.
In addition to her professional work, Yovana currently serves as the Board Secretary for the nonprofit Bottom Rail History, whose mission is to create, share, and preserve a free archive of primary historical sources typically missing from the historical record. She is also the Vice Chair of the Immigration Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association. The Immigration Law Section exists for protecting the rights of our Immigrant Community and for the facilitation of leadership, fellowship and the education of all members of the Oklahoma Bar.
Honors and Awards:
Next Gen Under 30 Award (Aug 2023)
Suited for Social Justice Award (Aug 2022)
OCU Law Alumni Association Award (May 2022)
Dean’s Service Award to the Law School (May 2022)
Poston De La Torre Award at the University of Oklahoma (Apr 2014)
Linda Thornton Memorial Award at OCCC (May 2012)
Sharon Robinson Memorial Award at OCCC (May 2012)
Yovana Lopez Medina’s remarkable academic achievements, professional milestones, and unyielding dedication to driving positive social change distinguish her as an outstanding legal professional and a passionate advocate for justice and equality.
